WEBVTT
MATT GRANT RAN INTO THEM AND
FOUND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON.
>> YOU CAN CUT BEHIND THEM GROW
QUICK.
>> HE DOESN'T ALWAYS FEEL SAFE
WRITING ALONG.
HE HAS BEEN HIT THREE TIMES.
>> I HAVE LOST FRIENDS THAT HAVE
BEEN HIT BY CARS.
>> HE FEELS SAFE IN LARGE GROUPS
LIKE THIS.
THEY HIT THE STREETS ON THE LAST
FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT THE
HEIGHT OF EVENING RUSH-HOUR TO
RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT
ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF
TRANSPORTATION.
>> WE GOING TO PUT A DEBT IN
TRAFFIC.
FIVE MINUTES IS NOTHING COMPARED
TO WHAT IT IS GOING TO COST IF
YOU HIT A CYCLIST.
>> SOME SAY THE WAY THE GROUP IS
GETTING THEIR MESSAGE OUT IS
PUTTING OTHERS AT RISK.
VIDEO SHOWS THE PARADE OF
CYCLISTS TAKING OVER IN DOWNTOWN
ORLANDO, SLOWING TRAFFIC THROUGH
RED LIGHTS.
CYCLISTS CAN'T RIDE MORE THAN
TWO BY TWO AND CANNOT IMPEDE
TRAFFIC.
>> WE ARE GUILTY OF CONTINUING
IF A LIGHT CHANGES THAT KEEPS US
SAFER.
>> NOT EVERYONE IS SUPPORTIVE.
THIS MOTORCYCLIST TRAVELS IN A
LARGE GROUP AND SAY HE ALWAYS
LIGHTS.
>> I THINK THEY SHOULD BE DOING
THE SAME THING.
>> I WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO SEE

On the last Friday of every month during the height of evening rush hour, Nicholas Mandino sets out to take back the roads.

“We’re not doing this to completely upset you,” Mandino said.

Advertisement

Mandino organizes a group of 300-400 cyclists, known as Orlando Critical Mass. The local spinoff to a global movement seeks to raise awareness about alternative forms of transportation and cyclist safety.

Mandino said he has been hit by a car three times.

“I’ve definitely lost friends that have been hit by cars,” he added.

Taking over busy streets near downtown Orlando gives him a “cathartic” feeling, he said, and the chance to mingle with like-minded riders. But some say the way the group is getting its message out is putting others at risk. Video shows the parade of cyclists slowing traffic and going through red lights.

“We're definitely guilty of continuing if the light changes but that keeps us safer,” said Mandino. “We're safer as a group than spread out all along the street.”

According to Florida law, cyclists can’t ride more than two across and can’t “impede traffic.” Mandino says their message is worth the inconvenience to motorists.

“We’re definitely going to put a dent in traffic,” said Mandino. “But if you think about it, five minutes is nothing compared to what it’s going to cost if you hit a cyclist by not paying attention.”

While the group has diverse fans, not everyone is supportive.

“There’s laws in place to keep people safe,” said motorcyclist Yatzel Acevedo, when shown video of several hundred Critical Mass cyclists going through a red light around 7 p.m. on Friday. “Them just thinking they own the road, that's not right.”

Acevedo belongs to a motorcycle club. He rides in a group as well, but says he always stops for red lights, even if it means separating from his group.

“Our group will split and we’ll wait for the red light and catch up to them,” said Acevedo. “So I think they should be doing the same.”

Kyle Markel owns Kyle’s Bike Shop in Orlando. He is a member of Critical Mass and brings supplies to help fix flat tires. He says that the day and time were chosen to maximize exposure and force motorists to pay attention.

“I want the motorists to see us and [know] we belong there,” said Markel. “Our tax money helps pay for those roads, too.”

Mandino says his group will “always make the effort to move out of the way” if an ambulance or emergency vehicle needs to pass. When asked what he would say to critics or motorists who don’t want to have to wait even longer in traffic: “Come ride with us.”

Orlando police did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the cyclists.